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Physical Sciences · Chemistry Rank #63 of 205

Chemistryat Missouri State University-Springfield

Graduates earn $41,166/yr in their first year — right at the national average. Base-case 10-year earnings $603K; scenarios range from $544K to $610K depending on AI disruption.

Springfield, MO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
61 SOLID
62
Optimistic
60
Pessimistic
Earnings
$41,166
1-year post-graduation
ROI
16.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$603K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
49% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Missouri State University-Springfield

At $41,166/yr, Chemistry graduates from Missouri State University-Springfield land near the $41,256 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 16.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Chemistry programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Chemistry's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $20,517 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #63 of 205 Chemistry programs, Missouri State University-Springfield scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $63,214 show a 54% jump from the $41,166 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$544K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple15.1x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$603K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple16.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$610K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple16.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Missouri State University-Springfield's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Chemistry graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Computer and information research scientists
+19.7% 10-yr growth · 3,200 openings/yr
$140,910/yr
High
3
Data scientists
+33.5% 10-yr growth · 23,400 openings/yr
$112,590/yr
High
4
Computer occupations, all other
+8.2% 10-yr growth · 31,300 openings/yr
$108,970/yr
High
5
Physics teachers, postsecondary
+2.5% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$97,360/yr
Moderate
6
Environmental science teachers, postsecondary
+2.9% 10-yr growth · 700 openings/yr
$87,710/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Chemistry

How Missouri State University-Springfield stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Northeastern University
MA · Private nonprofit
61
DW Score
$63K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
University of California-Berkeley
CA · Public
64
DW Score
$60K
1-yr earn
10.0x
ROI
Montclair State University
NJ · Public
56
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
8.4x
ROI
Bridgewater State University
MA · Public
72
DW Score
$55K
1-yr earn
17.2x
ROI
University of Delaware
DE · Public
66
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
11.0x
ROI
Also at Missouri State University-Springfield

Other top programs at Missouri State University-Springfield

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Missouri State University-Springfield, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Chemistry offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Compare Chemistry trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Chemistry at Missouri State University-Springfield

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Chemistry at Missouri State University-Springfield?

A score of 61/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Chemistry field.

Will AI replace Chemistry careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $544,401 in decade earnings vs $610,188 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.